When Jesus and his disciples were confronted with a Samaritan village that rejected them by failing to allow them to rest in their town, the disciples were “fighting mad” when they were on the receiving end of racial and religious prejudice. Peter and John thought of a violent response. Jesus did not feel nor express that same anger; He chose non-violence. He rebuked the disciples for allowing this to enter their spirit. He merely left that village to go to another. He continued on His way with unruffled spirit to not let this sidetrack His mission, after all, He had His face set like a flint to go to Jerusalem where He would experience the violence of the cross. It was a valuable lesson and example for His disciples who had to put it into practice over and over on their mission.
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned and rebuked them. 56 And they went on to another village.” Luke 9:51–56 (ESV)
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